▪︎cleo is the narrator
▪︎ily kj
▪︎word count: 1938
☆
i tried to be slick. but i was just too scared to ask her, to ask monty, on a real date. she's due around nine to study.
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"hey, monty?"
"yeah, cleo?"
"are you free later?"
"why wouldn't i be?"
"besides the point. wanna.. wanna study tonight? like old times?"
"of course. what lesson, what time?"
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i prep my things for history. i don't know why i chose it. maybe it's because history is romantic somehow.
maybe it's because i know it's her favourite. maybe i want things to be perfect, for her to know i care.
i have multiple keyword sheets, essay questions, textbooks, and white l.e.d lights. and one rose. one white rose. because those are her favourites.
ring.
she must be here. i checked my phone while half walking, half running down the stairs. eight thirty. she's early.
☆
"hey, come in!"
i smile a warm one.
"didn't plan on standing out here."
she smiles a more down to earth grin.
i beckon her to go back the way i came, to my bedroom. scratch that. my specially prepared bedroom. she followed while saying:
"moving so fast already?"
with a cackle for a laugh.
"don't flatter yourself."
i shoot back with reddened cheeks,
knowing the way i hoped tonight would go.
when we get to my room, we both sit on my bed. she looks me in the eye, with the same shimmer she always gets when doing something she's passionate about. i've noticed that about her.
"right,"
i pick two 'random' keywords sheets.
"the treaty of versailles, or the tudor period?"
but of course, it's not randomized. i've only printed out the ones she would describe to me as 'fascinating'.
"that's a hard choice. two of my favourite topics.."
i know.
i say in my head. she's saying something, but she's talking to herself. probably about history.
